Conventional and Organic Farming : A Comprehensive Review Through the Lens of Agricultural Science

1 Origin of Farming and the Historical Appreciation of the Value of Manure and Legumes
- - 2 The Fertilizer and Pesticide Roads – from Manure to Man-Made Fertilizers and from Sulphur to Synthetics
- - 3 Social and Agricultural Scene in 1920s and 1930s
- - 4 Organic Farming – Principles, Promotion and Perceptions
- - 5 Biodynamic Agriculture – Key Aspects and Development
- - 6 Origin and Development of Mainstream OrganicMovements
- - 7 Organic Areas, Crops and Markets Across the World
- - 8 Regulation and Certification of Organic Farming
- - 9 Organic Farming and Health – the Pioneers
- - 10 Organic Farming and Health – Studies and Concerns
- - 11 Soil Organic Matter, Relevance and Benefits
- - 12 Manures and Slurries - Composition, Production and Application
- - 13 Comparison of Yields of Organic and Conventionally Grown Crops
- - 14 Composition of Organic and Conventionally Grown Crops – Health Implications
- - 15 Pesticides – The Fear and the Problems
- - 16 Human Requirement for Nitrogen and Where it Comes From with a note on Phosphorus and Potassium
- - 17 Behaviour of Nitrogen in the Soil and Environment and the Contribution of Nitrous Oxide and Methane to Greenhouse Gases
- - 18 Sustaining Food Production – Problems of Population, Subsistence Farming and Sustainability
- - 19 Sustaining Food Production – Supply of Animal Protein, the Nitrogen Problem, Lessons of Organic Farming and Importance of Technology and Innovation
- - 20 Sustaining Food Production – Basic Constraints and Potential of Plant Breeding and Mycorrhiza

Organic farming comes with many connotations of'natural','wholesome','healthy','superior','environmentally friendly', and'sustainable'. But just what is the scientific evidence behind the claims of healthier food and better farming systems made by the organic movement? Using peer reviewed literature, the latest studies, and a rigorous investigation of claims made by opponents of conventional farming, the author provides an even handed and scientifically objective review of the contributions of organic farming to human health, crop yields, the environment, and agriculture from a global perspective. The aim is to separate out the marketing spin, the claims of one camp or another, and political ideologies to provide a straightforward appraisal of both the benefits and exaggerated claims of organic farming. The approach taken is to present the evidence in the form of data, study results, and presentation of source material for the claims made by conventional and organic, and leave the reader to make their own judgements on the validity of the case for organic over conventional farming. The book also addresses a fundamental question in modern farming-organic agriculture's ability to feed the world in the face of a growing population and growing demand for meat. It provides a timely scientific comparison of the practices, relative yields, and benefits of organic versus conventional agriculture. The ways conventional farming has progressed from hunter gatherer days and possible future developments are discussed. Conventional and Organic Farming will be an ideal book for agricultural policy makers, researchers and academics, as well as agricultural students, conventional, and organic farmers. [Subject: Farm Studies, Agriculture Studies, Agricultural Policy]